[gpb1874]

My baby is 14 months old. My work told me I could only take off 6-8 weeks that would be covered under FMLA, depending on if it was a vaginal or c-section delivery (time was based on recovery time, not the fact that I had 12 weeks FMLA leave. Couldn've fough it, but needed to go back anyways). It was unpaid, but luckily, I had (and still do have) lots of vacation time. I took off about a week before due date, so about 9 total, and all of it was paid because I took vacation. It was still covered by FMLA, so they couldn't fire me or anything because of being out.

I would love to have paid time off and a minimum of 4 months of it, although 6-12 would be so much better. Heck, even if it was just 1/2 pay for 4 months, it would have been nice! Heck, I wouldn't even mind doing some work from home.

Babies need their moms (and dads too) and studies have shown that if moms (specifically) had more time off to spend with baby in that first year. there would be fewer infant deaths. I don't have time to search for those studies, but several have some out in recent years.

I think men can take FMLA time off as well for the birth of a child. I believe the wording says "for the birth of a child" and not "giving birth" so that they could take it off.

My husband's company filed for bankruptcy when I was 6 months preggo and his choice was to work or do daddy care when I had to go back. He chose the latter and it's been really great having him take care of our baby (although I'm super jealous). I would have been miserable without his help during my 8 weeks of leave.